Two Ukrainian-made Snipex Alligator anti-materiel rifles chambered for 14.5×114mm

Wilshire@sopuli.xyz to Ukraine@sopuli.xyz – 410 points –
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That thing looks like it can cause some serious damage, even to things that are relatively well hardened.

Like, what would happen if a sniper fired that gun into the barrel of a T-80 that had an HE shell loaded?

Don't have to hit the barrels they usually aim for weak spots hoping for penetration then the round bounces around inside taking everyone out.

Anti-material rifles were initially designed to take out tanks. However all modern tanks have thick enough armor to deflect its bullets.

Now APC's, trucks, vans, and most engines and electronics are destroyed by these rounds. Hence the anti-material label now.

Given some of the antique tanks the Russians pulled out of the moth ball heap, it might still be an anti-tank-weapon occasionally ...

Would it be possible to ruin the barrel by shooting at it from the side? Or would it just ricochet?

The barrel is thicker than the armor on tanks. Usually they weigh in at over 2 tons of steel. The circular shape also makes it very likely to deflect the impact like sloped armor.

It might make a little ding in the paint.

They are designed to withstand huge pressures while maintaining their structure.

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It would be hard to get the angle just right to get the bullet all the way down the barrel without it impacting the sides of the barrel

Bullets are deflected along surprisingly sharp bends in a barrel (or any other pipe), so it would be sufficient to hit the tank gun muzzle roughly from the front, and it would probably hit a loaded projectile.

Technically, it would be sufficient of they lodge a bullet into the barrel. As soon as the tank fires, the bullet will wedge between the shell and the barrel, destroying - at least - the barrel.

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